The statewide archery season for deer is Sept. 24-Oct. 28. The first of two Young Sportsman hunts is Oct. 29-30. Archery season resumes Oct. 31-Nov. 4. Archery/muzzleloader season is Nov. 5-18.
Gun/muzzleloader/archery season has the traditional opening date of the Saturday before Thanksgiving which this year is Nov. 19. The season runs through Jan. 8, 2017. An antlerless hunt on private lands is Jan. 9-13 in Unit L counties only while the final Young Sportsman hunt is Jan. 14-15.
Antlerless bag limits in archery season are three per day in Unit L while Unit A, B, C, and D have a bag limit of four. The antlered bag limit is two for the license year. DeKalb County is now part of Unit B.
Unit C and D are new management units this year. Unit C includes Cocke, Grainger, Greene, Hamblen, Jefferson, Unicoi, Union, and Washington counties. Unit D includes the four counties of Blount, Monroe, Polk, and Sevier.
Sportsmen are reminded of changes made for the 2016-17 deer hunting seasons in Tennessee in regard to the definition of antlered deer.
An antlered deer is now defined as any male or female deer with an antler protruding above its hairline. An antlerless deer is now defined as any deer with no antler protruding above its hairline.
The new definition was established by the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission at its season-setting meeting this past May. The definition is also listed with photo examples on page 23 of the 2016-17 Tennessee Hunting and Trapping Guide as produced by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.
Male fawns with no antler protruding above the hairline do not count toward a hunter’s antlered bag limit, rather toward the hunter’s antlerless bag limits. Deer having already shed their antlers and does without antlers are also considered antlerless.
Male fawns with an antler protruding above the hairline do count toward a hunter’s antlered bag limit, since the deer does have antler(s) as opposed to hair covered pedicles (i.e., antler attachment point to the skull). Velvet antlered deer are also considered antlered.
For the exact boundaries of the different deer units and license requirements, hunters can refer to the 2016-17 Tennessee Hunting and Trapping Guide, available where hunting and fishing licenses are sold and at all TWRA offices. The guide can also be viewed at TWRA’s website at www.tnwildlife.org.

The 2016 Homecoming Queen at DeKalb County High School is Kaitlyn Elizabeth Roller.
A senior, Roller is the 17 year old daughter of John and Michele Roller of Dowelltown.
Kaitlyn is a four year member of the Literature Club and has been a member of the Spanish Club for two years. She is a four year member of the DCHS Football Cheerleading squad and serves as Captain this year. Roller has been cheering since the 7th grade and she is currently on the Senior Level 5 All Star Cheer Team at Premiere Athletics in Nashville. She will be attending the World Competition in May. Other awards include: Four year All-American; named Top All-American in this her senior year-Top Team; Biggest Prankster; Junior Attendant; Asked to join the NCA Staff; and Received “Best Jumps” honors for three years. Roller attends the New Life United Pentecostal Church on Sundays and the Gathering as a member of the youth group on Wednesdays. She has also served as a volunteer at Titans games and at various concerts.
The Homecoming Attendants are:
Senior Attendant –Susan Marie Webb, the 17 year old daughter of C.D. and Cindy Webb of Dowelltown. Webb is Vice President of the FBLA Club, Treasurer of the Student Council, member of the BETA Club and Literature Club, and she was Freshman President of the Junior BETA Club. Susan is also a four year DCHS Football Cheerleader, competes in Tennis, and is a former Lady Tiger Basketball player. Other awards include: Freshman Attendant; Girls State Delegate, National Society High School Scholar; Miss DCHS Nominee; and two year All American Cheerleader Nominee. Webb is a member of the First Baptist Youth Group and is a former 3rd-6th grade Sunday School Teacher.
Senior Attendant- Bailey Ashton Redmon, the 17 year old daughter of Mike and Elizabeth Redmon of Dowelltown. Bailey is a member of the BETA Club and Spanish Club and a four year member of the FBLA Club. She has also attended the State BETA Conference. Redmon participated in ballet, pointe, tap, and Irish step dancing for 11 years. Other awards: Participated and placed in Regional and State FBLA Conferences; attended the Tennessee Governor’s School for prospective teachers at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Bailey will graduate in May 2017 with her Associates of Arts Degree in History from Motlow State Community College. Redmon attends the Dowelltown United Methodist Church and has volunteered at the DeKalb County Fair. She also volunteers her time to educational activities of elementary school children. Bailey hopes to receive her PhD in History and Foreign Language to teach at the college level.
Junior Attendant- Nalia LaShaie Ramos, the 16 year old daughter of Rachel and Larry Bain of Smithville.
Sophomore Attendant- Madison Suzanne Judkins, the 15 year old daughter of Jeremy and Tammy Judkins of Smithville. She is a member of the HOSA, FBLA, and Science Clubs and the Climate Crew. Madison has been a Football Manager for two years and she is a member of the First United Methodist Church.
Freshman Attendant- Emme Katherine Colwell, the 14 year old daughter of Derrick and Shea Colwell of Smithville. Emme is a member of the Climate Crew, Student Council, Literature Club, Science Club, FCA, and FBLA Clubs. She is also a member of the DCHS Lady Tiger Basketball and Tigerette Softball Teams. She attends the First United Methodist Church.
Spirit week activities will be held September 26-30 at DCHS. The Homecoming Parade will take place Friday afternoon, September 30 and the Tiger Homecoming Football game will be at 7:00 p.m. that night against Sequatchie County. WJLE will have LIVE coverage of the game.
DCHS has released the following schedule:
Monday: Camouflage or Patriotic Day (no flags or rebel flag attire)
Tuesday: Color Wars (Seniors-blue, Juniors-orange, Sophomores-red, and Freshmen-green)
Wednesday: Flashback vs Future (dress like the past or dress for the job you hope to have in the future)
Thursday: Mathletes vs Athletes; Bonfire at 7:00 p.m. and Homecoming Dance
Friday: Black, Gold,& White; Field Competitions, Parade and Downtown Pep Rally, Homecoming Game vs Sequatchie County at 7:00 p.m.; Presentation of Queen and Attendants at 6:30
The parade lines up at 12:30 p.m. at DCHS. Parade leaves DCHS at 12:45 p.m. The band performs at Northside Elementary School at 12:45 p.m., The parade arrives at Smithville Elementary School at 1:00 p.m. The parade arrives at Northside Elementary School at 1:20 p.m. The band leads the parade to the city square. The parade arrives at the square at 1:50 p.m. A pep rally and band performance will follow on the square.

Free Medicare Help is Available
Medicare Open Enrollment for 2017 begins October 15. For those who are eligible to sign up for Medicare or have questions about making changes to their Medicare health plans and/or Medicare Part D prescription drug plans, free, un-biased Medicare information and counseling is available through the Upper Cumberland Area Agency on Aging and Disability.
SHIP/SMP will be at the Liberty Senior Center Monday, October 24 from 9:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.. To schedule an appointment, call 615-536-5422 Monday through Thursday.
Open enrollment for the coming year runs from October 15 to December 7. During this time, currently enrolled Medicare beneficiaries can make changes to their plans. The staff at UCAAAD, a division of Upper Cumberland Development District, and volunteers are trained to provide free, un-biased counseling and advice for those seeking assistance with making changes to their Medicare plans.
It is important for Medicare beneficiaries to compare their current plans to the 2016 coverage options, which will be released on October 1, 2015. UCAAAD staff helps those seeking assistance with plan comparisons without selling anything and can be reached at the toll free SHIP line at 1-877-801-0044.
Throughout open enrollment, UCAAAD staff and volunteers will also be offering Medicare counseling at locations throughout the Upper Cumberland. A full list of appointment times and locations can be found at www.ucdd.org or at www.facebook/ucddconnect or by calling the toll free SHIP line at 1-877-801-0044.

A 61 year old man was airlifted after a one car crash late Monday night on Poss Road.
Trooper Bobby Johnson of the Tennessee Highway Patrol told WJLE that 61 year old Kenneth Johnson was traveling southbound on Poss Road near his home in a 1999 Ford Crown Victoria at around 11:05 p.m.
According to the Trooper, Johnson lost control of his car while negotiating a curve causing his vehicle to rotate and run off the left side of the roadway striking a large tree and fence. Johnson was the lone occupant. He was not wearing his seatbelt and was found lying in the back seat unresponsive. Johnson was airlifted to Skyline Medical Center. Alcohol was a factor in the crash and charges are pending against Johnson.

Smithville Electric System now has the blessing of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen to proceed with plans to build a new substation on South College Street.
During a special meeting Monday evening, the Aldermen voted 3-1 to overturn a decision by the Smithville Planning Commission to disapprove of SES’s plans for the substation at the proposed location.
Aldermen Josh Miller, Shawn Jacobs, and Danny Washer voted in favor. Alderman Gayla Hendrix voted “no” saying she needed more time to study the issue. Alderman Jason Murphy was absent.
“I’m not voting “no” because I don’t believe it’s the correct place to put the substation. I am voting no because I have not had time to investigate it,” said Alderman Hendrix.
“I’m voting “yes” because we put the (SES) board in there and I respect their decision to move forward with this,” said Alderman Washer.
Smithville Electric System made this appeal before the Mayor and Aldermen after a ruling by Chancellor Ronald Thurman last Wednesday. In his decision, Chancellor Thurman found that when the Smithville Planning Commission disapproved the substation project during a meeting on June 14, SES did not have the authority to overrule the planning commission but should have filed an appeal with the Smithville Board of Mayor and Aldermen asking for a simple majority vote to overturn the planning commission’s decision. SES had 30 days to make the appeal.
Local developer Joe Rice, through his attorneys Sarah Cripps and Brandon Cox, brought the action against Smithville Electric System and the City of Smithville on September 2 in Chancery Court asking for a declaratory judgment and an injunction to keep SES from building the substation near his subdivision. While not a party to the lawsuit, other residents in the neighborhood are also opposed to the substation there.
After Mayor Jimmy Poss opened the special meeting Monday evening, Alderman Hendrix made a motion that the vote be delayed to give the council more time to study the issue especially since the Chancellor had not yet signed an order on last Wednesday’s ruling. Her motion died for the lack of a second.
“This is a complicated issue. I’ve had several people in the community approach me about it. I sat in on the hearing last Wednesday but I missed the ruling and I asked for a copy of the ruling before tonight. I got Ms. Cripps’ order that she drafted but I understand the attorneys for the city and Smithville Electric have submitted a competing order. When there are competing orders we don’t know which one the Chancellor is going to sign. Based upon that and the fact that I would like to read the transcript of the court file from Wednesday’s hearing, I personally feel that I don’t have adequate information to go forward with a vote tonight. I need more time to study this. I make a motion that we move this to see which order the Chancellor is going to sign and then look at that order and specifically what it tells us to do and then do the research we need as far as our charter, the Smithville Electric System by-laws, and I’d like to see a site plan of this substation. I’d like to see the zoning ordinances. We need to thoroughly investigate it,” said Alderman Hendrix.
City attorney Vester Parsley said whichever order the Chancellor signs will be the same on the key issue of requiring the Smithville Electric System to come before the Mayor and Aldermen to seek an appeal to overturn the decision of the planning commission. “ Both of those orders specify that Smithville Electric is to come before the board. There isn’t any difference in that provision of the judge’s order,” said Parsley.
“What bothers me greatly is that we have a board in place (planning commission) to review this type of thing. We appoint those folks to do that. When they said “no” this is not an adequate location and don’t put it here, the Smithville Electric Board went forward anyway. That concerns me. Why do we have these boards in place? Because there are checks and balances in government,” Alderman Hendrix continued.
During last week’s hearing, Rice’s attorneys Cripps and Cox asserted that the planning commission disapproved SES’s plans based on the grounds that the proposed location by SES is inconsistent with the city’s Land Use and Transportation Plan.
Alderman Jacobs, a member of the Planning Commission, said the reason he voted “no” at the June meeting was because there had been no time to study the proposal. “As a member of the planning commission, I know several members including myself voted “no” that night because we didn’t have enough information. We didn’t know it was coming our way at the time. It was plopped down in front of us. We had no where the information we should have had to be able to make a decision and that’s why I voted no. I know some other members said the same thing. We have had more information since then,” said Alderman Jacobs.
At the beginning of the meeting Monday evening, Mayor Poss cautioned that no questions or comments would be allowed by the public and that the purpose of the meeting was for the aldermen to either vote to uphold or overturn the planning commission’s decision on this issue. And when attorney Brandon Cox approached the mayor and aldermen with a petition signed by 124 residents in the neighborhood and elsewhere in the city opposing this project, he was warned that if he kept talking he would be escorted out of the meeting room by police.
After the meeting Attorney Sarah Cripps told WJLE she was concerned that the mayor and members of the board of aldermen stifled any public discussion of this issue.
“I was astounded that the males on this board (aldermen) sought to mute all discussion from people who opposed what they (aldermen) had already decided what they wanted to do. The only reason you suppress the right of the people to voice an opinion to those who are elected to represent them is when you know you are going to do whatever you want regardless of the popular will. And for this board to say we don’t care and we don’t want to educate ourselves is an abrogation of their duty,” said Cripps
“Think of what the power board itself did. The arrogance of a body to say we don’t have to go before the planning commission. That we are a law unto ourselves. It is absolutely appalling,” Cripps continued.
“Electric substations are unsightly. They are required to remain lighted at all times. They generate visual and auditory pollution. Half of the acreage that this body (SES) purchased in its arrogance is in a protected wetlands area. They admitted that they disturbed that area because we the electric board did not think we had to investigate that.”
“It concerns me that two members of the electric power board who claim to be attorneys and know the law determined that a state statute did not apply to them and determined and took action to subject the city to inverse condemnation lawsuits by all of the surrounding property owners”.
“I’m just ashamed of my government and I think it’s let me down,” she said.
Cripps went on to say that the SES is not representative of the city at large because there are no women or minorities on the board.

A Smithville man was sentenced Monday, September 12 in DeKalb County Criminal Court after entering a plea to one count of attempting to sell a schedule II drug.
38 year old Jerry “Bugg” Goff received a two year sentence to serve to run consecutive to an eight year term he is currently serving. Although he doesn’t have to pay a fine, Goff must forfeit his vehicle and $800 in cash. He was given jail credit from July 27, 2015 to September 12, 2016.
Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on Friday July 17, 2015 a Sheriff’s department detective and deputy went to Eastside Inn and spoke with Goff, who was sitting in a white Durango. The detective conducted a probation search of Goff and found in his left cargo pocket a gold metal container which held 48 pills believed to be Dilaudid. In his right cargo pocket was a silver metal container with 19 pills thought to be Oxycodone. Goff did not have a prescription for the drugs and he was placed under arrest. Goff’s Durango was also seized because it is believed to have been used to transport illegal narcotics for resale.
30 year old Amanda F. Mooneyham entered a plea by criminal information to sale of a schedule VI drug and received a two year sentence, all suspended to TDOC supervised probation. She was fined $2,000. The sentence is to run consecutive to a Warren County sentence against her. According to court documents, Mooneyham, on or about January 10, did knowingly sell a schedule VI drug (marijuana), not less than 0.5 ounces (14.175 grams) in violation of state law. At the time of her arrest by Smithville Police, Mooneyham was five months pregnant and was charged with endangering a viable fetus as a victim, possession of a schedule VI drug for resale, possession of drug paraphernalia, and criminal impersonation.
According to Chief Mark Collins, while police were attempting to serve a warrant on Christopher Eugene Layne , they found Mooneyham and Brandon Michael Dearth were also at the residence. Upon a search of their persons and vehicles Dearth was found to have a small bag which he claimed contained methamphetamine. Mooneyham had in her possession several baggies of a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana along with scales and several other drug paraphernalia items. When asked Mooneyham admitted to officers that she had smoked pot and did meth earlier in the day. The cases against Layne and Dearth apparently remain pending in court.
59 year old Neil Bernard Keenan entered a plea to simple possession of a schedule IV drug and received a sentence of 11 months and 29 days. He was fined $750. He will be on supervised probation. Smithville Police received a call on Friday, November 20, 2015 of a possible drunk driver that had crashed into a pole in the parking lot of Food Lion. The officer spoke with Keenan in a checkout line inside the store. Keenan was unsteady on his feet. His speech was slurred and he had an odor of an alcoholic beverage about his person. Incident to arrest, a silver pill container with a Schedule IV substance was found in his front pants pocket. Keenan was placed under arrest.

A Cookeville couple was involved in a motorcycle crash Sunday afternoon on Dale Ridge Road (Highway 96).
Trooper Bobby Johnson of the Tennessee Highway Patrol told WJLE that 65 year old Gary Buettner was traveling south on a 2014 Harley Davidson motorcycle. 66 year old Patricia Buettner was a passenger.
According to Trooper Johnson, Buettner failed to negotiate a curve and went off the right side of the highway and wrecked.
Ms. Buettner was transported by DeKalb EMS from the scene to Highway 70 at the top of Snow Hill where a helicopter landing zone was set up by members of the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department. She was then airlifted.
Although injured Mr. Buettner refused transport by EMS to the hospital.
He was charged with failure to exercise due care. According to Trooper Johnson, alcohol was a factor in the crash.

Nine people were involved in a two vehicle crash Friday night on Highway 146 near the Cannon County line.
Trooper Jason Cobble of the Tennessee Highway Patrol told WJLE that 21 year old Brandon Winne of McMinnville was traveling north in a 2004 Dodge pickup truck when he crossed the center line into the southbound lane and sideswiped an oncoming 2003 Volkswagen Jetta, driven by 66 year old Julian Smart of Smithville. After impact the truck went off the left side of the highway, into a ditch and through a fence. The truck overturned but came to rest upright off the road.
Passengers of Winne’s truck were 19 year old Eli Porterfield of Dowelltown and two juveniles. Riding with Smart were 48 year old Brenda Smart of Smithville, 31 year old Trisha Peachey of Liberty, and two juveniles.
All were taken by DeKalb EMS to the hospital except for Porterfield who was not injured.
Winne was charged with driving under the influence. Other charges against him are pending.
Trooper Cobble was assisted in the crash investigation by Trooper Tommy Cooper. Others on the scene were members of the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department and DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department.

A local couple has been arrested in connection with the recent theft of guns, coins, jewelry and other items stolen from a houseboat at Pates Ford Marina
46 year old Ricky Lane Evans and 37 year old Sherry May Evans both of Gene Vaughn Road, Smithville are each charged with theft of property over $10,000. Bond for each is $10,000 and they will make a court appearance October 6. Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on Saturday, September 17 both Ricky and Sherry Evans allegedly took items from a houseboat at Pates Ford Marina including several silver coins, a Kel-Tec 9 millimeter rifle, a Smith & Wesson 380 handgun, a Winchester 410 shotgun, clothing, jewelry, a spotlight, candles and other items. The owner of the houseboat discovered the theft and reported it. The case was investigated by a detective and deputies of the Sheriff’s Department and as a result some of the stolen weapons and other items have been recovered. Sheriff Ray said that some of the silver coins and jewelry were recovered in a purse belonging to Sherry Evans.
54 year old Jackie Mark Mullican of Miller Road, Smithville is charged with carrying or possession of a weapon by a felon. His bond is $7,500 and his court date is September 29. Sheriff Ray said that on Monday, September 12 while conducting a probation search on Mullican, a Sheriff’s Department Detective found in his right pants pocket a silver Jennings 380 caliber handgun with an altered serial number. A computer check revealed that the gun had been stolen and entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) by the Smithville Police Department. A criminal history was also conducted which showed that Mullican is a DeKalb County convicted felon charged in a 2008 schedule II drug offense.
36 year old Bradley Don Crook of Tubb Street, Liberty is charged with domestic assault. His bond is $2,500 and his court date is October 6. Sheriff Ray said that on Friday, September 16 a deputy responded to a residence on Tubb Street due to a domestic assault in progress. Upon arrival the officer spoke with Crook and a female. According to the woman, while she and Crook were arguing he stood up and smacked her on the left side of the face. Crook was very uncooperative with the deputy and was determined to have been the primary aggressor. He was placed under arrest.
34 year old Taren Renee Pilley of Davis Street, Smithville is charged with being a fugitive from justice. Her bond is $75,000 and her court date is September 29. Sheriff Ray said that on Saturday, September 17 a deputy responded to a residence on Yulanda Hills after receiving a 911 call of someone possibly being held hostage there. Upon arrival the officer spoke with Pilley. A computer check revealed that she had an active warrant against her from Butler County, Ohio. She was placed under arrest. Ohio authorities have agreed to extradite her.
32 year old Daniel Ray Wilson of Yulanda Hills Road is charged with aggravated assault. His bond is $5,000 and his court date is September 29. Sheriff Ray said that on Wednesday, September 14 Wilson allegedly assaulted a woman by pulling her hair, striking her in the face with his fist, and trying to strangle her. Due to the assault, the woman suffered injuries to her face and red marks on her throat.

The DeKalb County High School, Future Business Leaders of America attended Leadership Development Camp at Camp Clements in Doyle, Tennessee this past weekend. Members attended workshops on topics of Leadership, Community Service, Teamwork, Networking, and Competition.
Members were assigned to officer-specific training. Chapter members that attended were: Kris Barret, Dosson Medlin, Luke Green, Eli Cantrell, Elliott Cook, Karen Johnson, Shelby Clayborn, Brooklynn Wilson, Susan Webb, Sahara LaFever, Rilee Winfree, and Destiny Franklin . The club adviser that attended camp with the students was Marilyn Roberts who participated in the adviser’s training. Two members Shelby Clayborn and Destiny Franklin participated in the Talent Show.
In addition to workshops and officer training campers participated in recreation activities and were divided by color groups. Recreation activities included relay races and other team building activities. This was a wonderful experience for the students. They gained leadership, social, public speaking, and networking skills by participating in Camp Clements Leadership Development Camp.
This group received several awards. Brooklyn Wilson was chosen by her group members as the Silver Group most spirited member. Destiny Franklin finished in the top three in the talent show. Eli Cantrell received one of the sports awards for basketball. Luke Green and Rilee Winfree won the color group competition as members on the white team. Finally, Marilyn Roberts was chosen by all FBLA members and advisers present at camp as the FBLA Most Spirited Adviser.
Pictured: front: left to right: Brooklynn Wilson, Rilee Winfree, Destiny Franklin, Susan Webb, Shelby Clayborn, Karen Johnson, Sahara LaFever
Back row: Eli Cantrell, Dosson Medlin, Elliott Cook, Luke Green and Kris Barrett